Jeryn Woodard Mayer, PhD candidate, Department of English Language and Literature
Jeryn Woodard Mayer is studying for her PhD in the Department of English Language and Literature at MIC.
Jeryn discusses her research and its focus on the ‘Artistic impact that sectarian political murals in Belfast have on artists working today'. She evaluates the murals as examples of public art, rather than solely political propaganda, to determine their role in the visual culture of Belfast.
Jeryn is a distance-based student, based in Texas.
What did you study as an undergraduate and postgraduate?
I began my undergraduate career as a vocal performance major at the University of Central Arkansas, though a guest lecture from an Art History professor quickly changed my trajectory. Within a semester, I shifted my focus to Art History and began researching graduate programmes in the field. I went directly from my undergraduate degree to a Master of Arts programme at the University of Virginia, where I studied contemporary public art and Byzantine and early Christian art. Even as an undergraduate, I found that I was primarily interested in artwork that was made for the public rather than for a gallery or private commission. My research focused on public art and its impact on a non-art audience emphasising temporality and artists working outside mainstream fine art institutions. After over two decades of primarily focusing on teaching and community arts, I found a research topic that would satisfy all my interests: public art, self-taught artists, and Irish Studies. As I began to look at PhD programmes, MIC quickly rose to the top of my list because of its emphasis on the importance of teaching, the supportive environment, and the extremely accomplished faculty with whom I would have the opportunity to collaborate. While I complete my PhD at MIC, I continue to work full-time as a professor of Art History in the Centre of Excellence for Media, Visual, and Performing Arts at Houston Community College in the United States.
Tell us a bit about your research
My research focuses on the artistic impact that sectarian political murals in Belfast have on artists working today. I evaluate the murals as examples of public art, rather than solely political propaganda, to determine their role in the visual culture of Belfast. In much of the research, these murals are examined for their impact on sectarianism, identity, and the ongoing peace process. However, I am interested in how these pieces of public art may have influenced the contemporary Street Art movement in the city. Viewing the murals within their place in the history of public art gives a fuller understanding of the images and their impact. The city is in a visual arts transitional period. Political murals, cultural murals, historical murals, community murals, and Street Art have all become a part of the visual landscape. With a focus on artists’ inspiration and training, my research evaluates the current creative identity and artistic output of the city and the connections with the political mural tradition.
What do you enjoy most about undertaking your research projects?
The most exciting aspect of my research is communicating with artists and the arts professionals who facilitate an extraordinary outdoor gallery of mural painting in Belfast. Working directly with artists, seeing their studios, and touring their murals alongside them has given my research a depth of understanding of the context of the images and the influence artists have in their communities. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending time in Belfast, experiencing the murals and contemporary Street Art as a part of a dynamic urban landscape rather than just symbols of the city’s past conflict. I’ve also found the process of writing and presenting my research at conferences extremely rewarding. I feel remarkably fortunate to have the opportunity to travel for my research, meet Irish Studies scholars from around the world, and collaborate on our shared interests.
Do you have any advice for someone who is thinking about taking up a postgraduate programme by research?
I would encourage anyone considering a postgraduate research programme to choose an academic environment where they feel supported by their supervisor and the postgraduate research administration and staff. Having the opportunity to pursue a research degree is an extraordinary gift, and it should not make you miserable. A positive academic environment can make all the difference in the world! At MIC, I found that the Research & Graduate School information sessions, guidance for funding applications, and financial support allowed me to spend my energy on my research and thesis rather than navigating administrative tasks. With the right support and a topic that you are excited about every day, completing postgraduate research can be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your life.
MIC’s Meet the Researcher series focuses on the breadth of research output from MIC academics and student researchers.
